Your Most Frequently Asked Laser Eye Surgery Questions Answered

Our staff have heard every laser eye surgery question you can think of. No question is too odd, so we welcome you speak to us about any queries you may have. We thought we’d share the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

Generally the first question people ask us is – does laser eye surgery hurt?

You’ll be glad to hear that there is very little pain, if any at all, during the surgery. Numbing drops are used beforehand to prevent any pain. The drops also lessen the need for you to blink. During your recovery, you may experience some discomfort. The feeling can be similar to as if you had an eyelash in your eye.

How long is the recovery time?

Recovery time differs between each type of laser eye surgery. LASIK and PRK are two of our most common procedures. Many people return to work the day after LASIK. Some people do chose to take a day off but theoretically, you should be fine to return to your normal routine within 24 hours.

The PRK recovery time is slightly longer. Many people recover very rapidly and return to work after a few days but for those who need to plan their time off in advance, we recommend allowing a week to recover.

How much does laser eye surgery cost?

Prices start at $1000 per eye but this varies by procedure. You can find out more on how much laser eye surgery costs here or during a free consultation.

What are the risks surrounding laser eye surgery?

It is important to consider all risks before deciding on any form of surgery. Laser eye surgery is a very low risk procedure but there are some risks and possible side effects. There is a small chance of contracting an eye infection but you are far more likely to get an eye infection from using contact lenses than as a result of laser eye surgery.

Some people will experience blurred vision or halos and glare around lights. This is not uncommon but it is usually temporary and will clear up once the cornea fully heals. You can find out more about what to expect after laser eye surgery in our previous blog.

What is the difference between PRK and LASIK?

LASIK is one of the most common forms of laser eye surgery however we recommend PRK as a more suitable procedure for some people. As LASIK involves creating a flap in the eye, a thick cornea is required. For people with a thin cornea, PRK will be the best option.

Discover more about the differences between PRK and LASIK.

If you have any other questions, we will happily book you in for a free consultation at our near Vancouver laser eye surgery centre. Or, feel free to call or send us a message and one of our team will get back to you shortly.